The City of Dallas project manager reported on June 23 that the Ellendale-Levins intersection project will begin construction July 7 after the city received an Oregon Department of Transportation grant of approximately $1.9 million.

The project manager said construction bids came in near $1.2 million and that Pacific North Construction will perform the work. The project includes traffic signals, street lighting, pedestrian-activated push buttons or rectangular rapid flashing beacons, realigned crosswalks and ADA improvements; staff said the project will “skinny up” several wide yield lanes to shorten pedestrian crossing distances.

Nut graf: The upgrade is intended to improve pedestrian safety near school corridors and reduce crossing distances; it is largely state-funded and will begin this summer with staged work to minimize intersection closures.

City staff described a detour plan and an effort to avoid closing the intersection except when necessary. If closures are required, westbound traffic would be routed into town via Ellendale and eastbound traffic would detour down Lock Real to Academy Street or Miller, then back toward Ellendale; another plan discussed would shut Levins at Walnut and route traffic via Main Street and Jasper. The project manager said some closures may be necessary to accelerate work but staff are encouraging daytime work that keeps the intersection open whenever possible.

The city confirmed the project is funded through an ODOT reimbursement grant with an 89.73% reimbursement rate. Staff also said developer contributions will be used to cover part of the project cost, referencing proportionate-share payments from recent developments to the west.

Discussion: councilors asked about communication with businesses such as the rock quarry and about night work; staff said night work is possible but costlier and will be used selectively to limit closures. No formal vote was taken.

Ending: A pre-construction meeting is slated for July 2; staff said traffic-signal mast arms have long lead times (roughly six months) so the intersection will initially use sign control until infrastructure and signals are installed before school starts.